Athlete Journal: Ruth Anderson Horrell, Entry 4 - 3/28/2013

EDITOR'S NOTE: Welcome to the athlete journal of Ruth Anderson Horrell. Hailing from New Zealand, Ruth competed in the 2011 and 2012 CrossFit Games and hopes to do the same in 2013. Check in every week to follow all the ups and downs of Ruth's training for the 2013 CrossFit Games.

Athlete Journal Entry 4 - 3/28/2013

It's an awesome time for CrossFitters around the world. The Open is upon us. Every week my Facebook feed boasts new quirky jokes about the programming, and various rumors fly about illegitimate scores. I love the Open as I love watching the people in my box push themselves to a new limit. For 99% of CrossFitters, the Open is their chance to compare themselves to the masses, or (as is the case in the past week), to compare themselves to the athlete they were last year.

Last week I felt more nervous about the Open workout than I had the previous two. I realized I cared more about beating my former self than I cared about anyone on the leaderboard. In fact, this year I really haven’t spent any time looking at the leaderboard. I know if I either repeated the WODs or gave myself significant rest before them it would seem likely I would put up a better score, likewise my counterparts could be in the same boat. The difference between 200 and 210 reps may well just be a good sleep and a fresh body.

I was really pleased to get six more muscle ups in 13.3 this year than last year’s 12.4, and I know that my technique work has really helped me get those extra reps, (as I’m definitely not at peak cardiovascular fitness yet). This is thanks to work by Dusty Hyland and Michael Ungerer, patiently instructing my gymnastics!

At the moment the CrossFit Open is making history. The competition is growing in popularity quickly, and never before has a competition been so accessible to so many. As much as I refuse to let it get in the way of my weekly program, I'm so stoked to be a part of it. In the last couple of weeks I have traveled to CrossFit Gore to perform my Open WODs. The members and owners there have been extremely supportive, and I would like to thank them for helping me finish the workouts.

Do not let any of the back chat get in the way of your Open. Finish it being the best athlete you can.